As the horses of night billow the surface above, <br />When the sun shuts the shining shop shutters, <br />As the weary men sink in the wool of the hearth, <br />Than the dreary watchman’s wooden staff, silence shatters! <br /> <br />As I swivel my specs on the hinge of the ear, <br />Than relax my eyes holding ridge on fingers, rear <br />Owl hoots near the window, prey clasping, cold wire, <br />Watchman stops near the park, face burning in the fire <br /> <br />Outside, breeze is gentle cold hands I stretch overhead, <br />The glint of the eyes, feline caught me in silhouette’s soft tread, <br />Dogs have come to morsel the leftover grand post-prandial, <br />Watchman watches them munching, finding his own, parochial! <br /> <br />Bolt fastened, locks in place, warm inside, electric furnace <br />Brood and mate, snug, in quarters, dreaming, peck on each lovely face! <br />Proud I, feeling of sure satisfaction, of Love, of drowning, stupefaction, <br />However, Sentry in the grand tradition, measure the night, mace in place <br /> <br />The gift of peace, rest and ease, and health, at night, God gives to us, <br />The colors, or grey, behind the eyes, dreams treats, are ours, sumptuous, <br />But knight of mace, at hours of dark, in cold, n’rain, a heart alone, <br />Fights the night, the thieves, the frights, so that our new day can carry on! <br /> <br />Hisar,15/12/2008<br /><br />Rajesh Kumar Vaid<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-watchman-3/
